The South Carolina Peanut Board is seeking eligible peanut producers to come forward who are interesting in serving on the National Peanut Board.

The South Carolina Peanut Board will hold a nominations election to select a member and alternate to the National Peanut Board (NPB) during a meeting on April 11, 2007 at the Ramage Conference Center, State Farmers Market in Columbia, S.C. All eligible producers are encouraged to participate.

Charles Edens of Sumter, S.C., is the current South Carolina National Peanut Board member and Monty Rast of Cameron, S.C., is the alternate. The term for the current South Carolina board member and alternate expires Dec. 31, 2007.

USDA requires two nominees from each state for each position of member and alternate. The National Peanut Board will submit the state’s slate of nominees to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, who make the appointments.

The National Peanut Board encourages inclusion of persons of any race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status.

NPB encourages all persons who qualify as peanut producers to attend the meeting and run for nomination. It is USDA’s policy that membership on industry-government boards and committees accurately reflect the diversity of individuals served by the programs.

For more information, call Brad Boozer, South Carolina Peanut Board, at 1-803-734-2225.